Some thoughts to consider:If you sell now, you are unlikely to pay capital gains taxes as your first 250k (500k if married and filling jointly) aren't reported.Doing your first rental remotely is undesirable without 1.)

Sadly, this price-gouging behavior has become the unfortunate new norm in the insurance industry.There's a high likelihood you'll need a broker familiar with surplus lines.  3 weeks isn't much time - if you aren't working with someone already you need to get in touch with someone asap.

We're new to real estate and would appreciate advice on our current home in Texas and our future place in Oregon.We love our house in Austin and aren't ready to sell, but as a long-term rental, it would yield (from what I understand) negative cash flow, covering principal and interest but not taxes and insurance.

These aren't only in the flood-prone areas.

If you are a real estate agent who wants to work with investors but can't seem to make any solid connections here on BiggerPockets, these five things might be the reasons why:1. You end every post or reply with a call...

I've had qualified renters move into a rental, add their bum friends or family members, and then disappear, leaving me with bad renters who weren't approved and aren't on the lease.The best practice is to screen every adult, approve them, and add them to the lease. 

I have already thought about the point you mentioned about some prospective tenants not being fond of the fact that both floors aren't available but until I get back to AZ which could be awhile I need it for storage.  

If this company gives you 50 solid leads per month, that's 600 properties suitable for a flip that aren't already listed with an agent.

I know that the general guidance is that emergency funds aren't to be invested, but given our financial security and the fact that we already have a personal e-fund in a safe, non-volatile location, would it still be crazy/unwise to invest this 15k in an S&P500 index fund in a brokerage? 

They aren't the actual bank so need to upcharge these fees and hoping in volume they can make enough to continue operating.